Hey guys!! What's up!! I realize we haven't updated in forever and a day, but we get lazy over summer... I know excuses excuses... Anyway here's chapter 16. Finally.

Chapter 16

Bella came out of her room and put the envelope on the small table. She sat next to me on the couch; Alice was sitting at the desk. Jasper still hadn't come back yet.

I glanced over at Bella, she was afraid, that I knew, but there was something else bothering her . . . guilt. She felt guilty about something, but I didn't have time to guess what it was. She gave a sudden start and said, "Alice?"

I turned to my sister, who was gripping the edge of the desk tightly in both hands. Alice didn't react when Bella called her name, but her head was shaking back and forth and her expression was dazed. I walked over to her quickly and motioned to reach for her hands and take them off the desk, but stopped an inch away from her. I was afraid to touch her because I made the visions more vivid and solid which ment if it was something bad, I would only help it along.

"Bella, come here." I said quickly.

Bella obeyed and she went to put her hand on Alice's when Jasper came into the room.

"Alice!" And he was right there, putting his hands over hers and prying them off the desk. "What is it?"

Across the room, the door swung shut with a click.

"Sorry, Jasper." I apologized. "I wanted to help her, but I was worried I'd make it worse."

"It's fine."

"Bella." Alice said, suddenly.

"I'm right here." She replied.

Alice's face was still blank, but she turned and looked at her. She wasn't talking to Bella, she was answering Jasper.

"What did you see?" Bella and I asked at the same time.

Jasper glanced from Bella to Alice. Bella seemed a little more relaxed than she was before. Alice came out of her trance.

"Nothing really." She said. "Just the same room as before. Did you want breakfast?" She added the last to Bella.

"No, I'll eat at the airport." Bella answered then left to the bathroom. I heard the shower turn on.

I looked at Alice again. She was overly calm, a very un-Alice like state. If you didn't know her well, you would've guess she was fine, but I knew her very well and could tell that she lied about the vision in part, if not all.

When Bella got out of her shower, we went downstairs and got into the car. Jasper and Alice were in the front, while I was in the back with Bella. Alice was facing Jasper, but was glancing at Bella every three seconds.

I looked out my window and stared at the buildings passing by. They were all a few shades darker through my sunglasses.

"Ruth," Bella asked me. "How does your power work? Edward told me that it increases the ability, but I didn't really understand."

I turned to look at her. "Well, I don't understand it fully either. From what I worked out, I'm like a super-charger and absorber." She looked at me blankly. I thought about how I could explain it. "OK, you know the Energizer Bunny from those commercials? I'm like that. I increase the ability, depending on what it is and can use it for my own use. For instance, with Edward, the range is increased and the voices, louder. With Jasper, the emotions can be read and controlled easier and faster. With Alice, the visions are stronger, clearer and more definite. Remember at the baseball field when Jasper and Edward both grabbed my arms?" Bella nodded. "Well, my body couldn't control them both. It probably didn't help with everyone's emotions and thoughts all over the place, though." I added grimly.

Bella nodded. "I see. What about you, Alice?"

"Things change . . . others are more certain, like the weather. People are harder because they are always changing their minds. I only see the course they are on while they're on it. Once they change their mind, no matter how small of a decision, the whole future changes."

"So, you couldn't see James in Phoenix until he decided to come here?"

Alice nodded, wary of Bella's question. I didn't think much of it, but then again, I didn't know what Alice had seen.

We got to the airport and Bella led us to the place where the passengers unloaded. She seemed to be happy that she knew more about where we were than we did.

Jasper and Alice spent a long time discussing the pros and cons of destinations on the board. I stood patiently and listened for ten minutes.

"What about Chicago, or New York, or Atlanta, or even Winnipeg? Does it really matter as long as she's safe?" I finally blurted out.

"Chicago sounds the best . . ." Alice said.

"Sure. Ruth's right, as long as she's safe, it doesn't matter." Jasper added.

We sat down in an empty row of chairs and pretended to people watch while actually watching Bella.

Bella pulled out the envelope and handed it to Alice. Alice nodded and tucked in the flap. We waited and waited and waited. It was a good thing I wasn't human, because I had been rather impatient and the sitting was driving me crazy. I offered to take Bella to get some breakfast several times just for a change of scenery, but each time she declined.

Thirty minutes until the flight was supposed to be in, Bella suddenly said, "I think I'll eat now."

I stood up. "I'll go with you."

"Do you mind if Jasper comes instead? I'm feeling a little . . ." Bella trailed off.

I sat down and Jasper stood up. Alice and I watched the two of them walked away and around the corner.

"She's in the room with him, that's what I saw." Alice said quietly.

I snapped my head to her. "What!"

"Bella's going to meet up with James. I didn't tell you or Jasper so she could. Please don't be mad at me, but it's what she wanted to do. We can follow her."

I fought with myself to stay calm and not blow up in anger. I clenched my fists tightly. "Alice, I understand you're intention and I admire you for that." I stood up and she followed me as I walked to where Jasper was. I finished my thought when we were all standing together. "You're lucky James likes to play with his food."

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